Badger

Bowen certainly looks a good prospect and from what I've seen of him a player that might thrive under Ralph. I'd be surprised if Augustin happens given that Leizig were rumoured to looking for £35m, plus the fact if as expected they sell Werner they are unlikely to offload another striker.

Forster I'd agree on, it must be difficult to get that spring and lift to collect the ball when it appears you're playing in wellies most of the time. Bit unfair on McCarthy who once he came into the team last season showed a willingness to come for crosses. Perhaps Watson has coached that out of him since then though.

We certainly missed out on him when he left Hoffenheim. Les at his best.

... EVEN BETTER NOW ...

Definitely. A good thrashing at Man City next, that'll help them not get over it.

Only saw the highlights to MOTD but there was a worrying spillage from a cross. McCarthy or Forster would have been given relentless flak for that.

A goal on Friday and Gallagher will write himself into Saints folklore. Or just crock VD, that'll do instead.

Could be a monumental result,goes some way to saving our season. Just hope Ralph is supported to rebuild in the summer. I'd be more concerned about Bayern and Schalke posts than the Austrian national team to be honest.

In a David Connolly sort of way... Two almighty big 'ifs' rather than 'whens' there in my view.

Perhaps this is an area where we should actually give Rupert some credit, in that he didn't give Harry a free reign to be let him loose with the cheque book.

Difficult one to call really, win and it will be a boost to morale, but they might have one eye on the SF when we play them, or defeat today, could there be a backlash etc?

You remember Brian O'Neill and Hugh Fisher in their prime Alehouse days then ?

THE FA Cup has probably fallen victim to the modern era and lost it's traditions more than anything else really. Third Round Saturday - not being staggered over a weekend (now including Friday, Sunday and Monday matches) The Monday lunchtime draw - amazing how people would plan their day at work around this to be available to listen The draw being conducted by some anonymous blazers at Lancaster Gate ... "the next item on the agenda is... " the name that sticks in my mind was Lionel Smart as one of the 'blazers' drawing the home teams... You could critiscise the FA for being out of touch but I had more confidence in it being a fair draw then than in the celebrity culture of today when ex players and so called celebs are making it on tv Replays - especially when a few days after the original tie SF - neutral grounds... The FA Cup Final being the (only)live game everyone wanted to watch.

Decent atmospheres at games. Not being able to easily identify with the players - eleven millionaires with little or no connection with the club or area.

Memories of Prutton (in order) 1) The red mist against Arsenal and shoving the linesman 2)the miss at WBA 3)his clapping the fans routine, which for many papered over the cracks of being average. Was he the last 'mullet' hairstyle we had ? Arrived with great promise but never fulfilled it here or elsewhere. Someone mentioned him at Forest, the last I recall reading of him was being sent off in a crucial stage of a play off match v Yeovil, which Forest subsequently lost.

Just seen this on BBC: So, Liverpool v Man Utd or Barcelona... Possibly City v Juventus though in the other semi-final.

Are the SF's still pre-determined from the QF draw, or now made separately ? I've seen no mention of the seeding, and potential SF opponents so had assumed this will be drawn again after the next round.

Slightly concerning that the Schalke job is now available after the other night, and possibly Bayern's too come the end of the season.

Did you mistype that or would you really be pleased to see VD win it? Anyone but a team with VD in it, or Spurs, is preferable to me.

Unless McCarthy regains the first team spot I'd be surprised if he'll look to remain with us.

Would have been pleased for him had he been selected, but from an entirely Saints perspective I'd rather he spent the next couple of weeks under Ralph's guidance and focused on the job in hand rather than his head being turned. Keep up the current form and he'll get his chance with England.

Anyone park on the trading estate yesterday able to offer an update?

Good to see you posting again David. Hoping Sims builds on yesterday and lives up to the expectations we had of him after his debut. Personally I'd still like to see Gallagher given an opportunity, can he really be worse than Long, or the immobile Austin ? always thought his height and pace offers something different, and might suit the Ralph game, as for finishing, again can't be worse than Long.

Would still be nice if it were Dell , but unlikely.